Laundry apparatus



ISept. 22, 1942. Aw. J. RUSSELL 2,296,265

. LAUNDRY APPARATUS Filed Jan. 19, 1940 '2 sheets-sheet v2 Patented Sept. 22, 1942 LAUNDRY APr'AaA'rUs wuum J. amen, Mansfield, om, naar to Westinghouse Electric pany, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a

, Pennsylvania Manufacturing Comcorporation of Application January 19, 1940," Serial No. 314,577

2 Claims.

My invention relates to laundry apparatus and has for an object to provide improved apparatus of this kind.

A further object of the invention is to facilitate the loading and unloading of a machine for washing fabrics and centrifuging water therefrom.

A further object of my `invention is to provide a loading shelf for laundry apparatus of the type set forth which may be employed as a closure for the access opening of the casing enclosing' the washing mechanism.

These and other objects are effected by my invention as will be apparent from the following description and claims taken in accordance with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, in which: I

Figs. 1 and 2 are perspective views' of a laundry machine constructed in accordance with myinvention, the former showing the machine during inactive `periods thereof and the latter showing the machine during operating periods;

Fig. 3 isa longitudinal vertical sectional view taken through the washing machine shown in Figs. 1 and 2, certain portions of this view being shown in elevation for the sake of cleamess; and, Fig. 4 is a view of a hinge detail shown in Fig. 3.

Referring now to the drawings, the washing apparatus includes a tub structure I generally of frusto-conical formation and having an access opening II formed in an end wall thereof. A rotatable perforate basket I2 also of frusto-conical configuration is disposed within the tub IB for containingthe fabrics to be washed. The basket lzincludes an access'opening I3 aligned substantially with the access opening Il of the tub. The basket is arranged substantially concentrically within the tube and is rotatable about an axis disposed at an acute angle to the vertical. The washing vmachine which I have disclosed is shown by way of example but it will be understood that my invention may be applied equally well to other forms of washers wherein the axis of the basket extends in a generally horizontal direction. A washer of the type disclosed herein is shown and claimed in the copending application of Frank Breckenridge, Serial No. 203,804, filed April 23, 1'938, and assigned to the assignee of the present application.

Referring particularly to Fig. 3, the basket I2 is rotated by a motor I4 carried in any suitable manner by the tub structure I0 and belted as shown at I5 to a two-speed mechanism I6 carried nism drives the basket at relatively low speed for washing the fabrics and at relatively high speed for extracting fluid therefrom. The two-speed mechanism II is adjustable in any well understood manner for providing the washing and centrifuging speed. A two-speed mechanism of the type shown assembled to a washer and spinner is disclosed and claimed in the copending application of Frank Breckenridge, Serial No.

305,512, nled November 21, 1939 and assigned to the assignee of the present application. Agitation of the fabrics within the basket during the washing period is effected by a plurality of circumferentially spaced baffles or vanes, one of which is shown at I1, or by other suitable means. 'I'he specific vane structure which I have shown is disclosed and claimed in the copending application of Stuart R. Baird, Serial No. 268,103, filed April 15, 1939and assigned tothe assignee of the present application. l

Water `is admitted to the tub by means of a conduit Il which terminates in a nozzle I9, the latter directing the water through the access opening I3 into the basket and tub. Water is discharged from the tub through a drainopening 2| forming the bottom thereof, the latter communicating with the inlet of a pump 22 that may be driven by the motori! as shown. A suitable valve 2l controls the passage of water from the drainopening 2| to the pump 22 and the water discharged by the pump is conveyed to a point of discharge by means of a flexibleconduit 24.

The access opening Il of the tub structure is closed bya suitable gasketed door 25 hinged in any well understood manner to the tub I0 and From the foregoing description it will be api parent that the tub structure I0, the motor Il,

' and the two-speed mechanism,v I6 deilne elements of a unitary structure which may be supported in any well understood manner. As shown, the unitary structure is carried by a plurality of resilient springs 21 which permit vibration of the structure relative the foundation supporting the same. Preferably, three springs are employed, two at the front of the washer, and one at the rear for providing a three-point support. Y A resilient mounting of the general type shown is disclosed and claimed in the applicaby an end wall of the tub. The two-speed mechation of Frank Breckenridge et al., Serial No.

2l which defines a support for the springs 21' and which includes a front wall 23, the upper portion of which isinclined as shown at 3l. The inclined portion 3| of the front wall slopes up- 'wardly and rearwardly and is preferably disposedin a plane normal to the axis of the basket.

In accordance with my invention, the front wall portion 3| is provided with al depressed rectangular portion 30 having formed therein an opening 32 which registers with the opening Il of the tub structure. The opening 32 may be circular, as shown, and its diameter is greater than the overall dimension of the door 25 so that the latter may be swung upwardly therethrough. During inactive periods of the apparatus, the opening 32 is closedA by alsuitable cover 33 which is hinged adjacent its lower margin to the front wall 29 cf the casing as generally shown at 34.

The hinge 3l may be of any suitable construction, and, as shown, includes a pintle 35 carried byf the casing and supporting a movable hinge bracket 36 which is secured to the cover 33. During active periods of the washer, the cover 33 is swung from the position shown in Fig. 1 to a substantially horizontal position as shown in Fig 2, for facilitating loading and unloading of the washer. The cover therefore defines a loading shelf in its open position and is retained in the open position in any well understood manner such as, for example, by an ear 31 formed on the bracket 36 and engageable in the open position of the cover with a pad 38 forming a part of the housing 29. In its closed position, the cover is retained by gravity or may be latched shut in any manner well understood in the art.

'I'he outer side of the cover 33 or the side in view when the cover is closed (Fig.` 1) may ber ornamental to provide a pleasing appearance. When the machine is to be operated, the operator first lowers the cover 33 which defines a shelf that is readily accessible to the operator during loading and unloading of the machine. 'I'he door 25 is actuated to its open position and the load is then inserted in the basket l2. The machine is adjusted to 'effect the washing operation and subsequently to centrifuge the water from the fabrics. As these operations form no part of the present invention, no detailed description of the same is deemed necessary. The control switch for the apparatus is preferably located on the front of the apparatus as shown at 39 where it is convenient to the operator for adjustment after loading the machine. After the centrifuging operation is completed, the door 25 is opened and the operator has a convenient shelf or table adjacent upon which to deposit the damp load removed from the washer. The operator may immediately insert a second load in the machine and start the same after which the damp load is removed from' the shelf and placed on the line for further drying.

Preferably, the shelf is of such width that the operator may stand at the side thereof and adjacent the front wall of the washer so that servicing of the washer may be effectedwithout reaching or bending. In this connection, it will be understood that the cover may be wider than shown if desired, but I prefer to haveat least one side edge thereof adjacent the tube opening so that excessive reaching on the part of the operator when removing the damp fabrics from the tub is unnecessary. N

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, `therefore, that only such limitation shall be placed thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. In a washer, the combination of a casing structure having an opening formed in a front wall thereof, a water-containing tub having its axis extending in a generally horizontal direction and having an access opening in a wall thereof substantially in registry at all times with said first-mentioned opening, a door closing the opening in the tub and preventing spillage of water therefrom, a second door hinged adjacent its lower margin to the casing and closing the opening therein in one position, said second door being movable to a substantially horizontal position for defining a shelf on the front of the casing, and means for retaining the casing door in its horizontal position.

.2. In'washing apparatus, the combination of a fluid-containing tub structure having a front wall disposed in a plane inclined from the vertical a'nd horizontal, said wall having an access open' ing formed therein, a door closing said opening and preventing discharge of fluid through said opening during operation of the washing apparatus, a casing enclosing said fluid-containing tub structure and having a front wall portion spaced from and disposed substantially parallel to said inclined front wall of the tub structure, said front wall portion of the casing having an access opening therein registering with the access opening of the tub structure at all times, a second door carried by the casing and movable to a rst position for closing the accesa' opening in the casing, said door being movable to anA open position wherein it is disposed substantially horizontal for defining a shelf on the front of the casing, and means for retaining the casing door in its horizontal position.

WILLIAM J. RUSSELL- 

